Envelope opening apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for opening letter envelope work items or the like, each having a folded edge margin. A supply of envelope work items are clampingly conveyed in successive order by mating belt means and conveyed transversely across the cutting periphery of a circular cutting element which removes the folded edge margin of each envelope item for permitting access to the envelope contents.

United States Patent [1 1 Orrick et a].

[ Mar. 19, 1974 ENVELOPE OPENING APPARATUS [73] Assignee: United StatesEnvelope Company,

Springfield, Mass.

[22] Filed: July 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 383,278

. Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 57,045,July 22, 1970,

abandoned.

83/912 [51] Int. Cl......, H B26d 1/20, 826d 7/06 [58] Field of Search83/49, 355. 418, 422, 912, 1 83/425 [56] References Cited 7 UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,047,493 12/1912 Bryant...'..' 83/912 /6e &

1,109,958 9/1914 Bryant 153/912 1,689,703 10/1928 Vidaver i 83/9123,613,315

10/1971 Schickling.... 83/912 Primary Examiner-Francis S. Husarflttomey, Agent, or Firm-McCormick, Paulding &

Huber [57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for opening letter envelope work items orthe like, each having a folded edge margin. A supply of envelope workitems are clampingly conveyed in successive order by mating belt meansand conveyed transversely across the cutting periphery of a circularcutting element which removes the folded edge margin of each envelopeitem for permitting access to the envelope contents.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAR 19 m4 3; 7971350 SHEET 2 BF 3A'TTOFFAJEX ENVELOPE OPENING APPARATUS This is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 57,045, filed July 22, 1970, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to envelope opening apparatus generally andparticularly relates to such apparatus operative for successivelyopening a supply of envelopes by edging or removing a fold edge marginof each envelope.

Apparatus for rapidly successively opening letter envelopes or the likehave been developed and marketed in the past, however, variousdisadvantages are noted in the design and operation of the prior artmachines: The typical letter opening apparatus is of substantiallycomplex design and operation and may include complicated electroniccomponents or the like subject to malfunction. In the operation of theprior art letter opening apparatus, an envelope work item may bemishandled in the envelope-opening process and jam the apparatus,resulting in work stoppage or downtime for clearing the apparatus.Moreover, the envelope work item jamming the machine and the succeedingwork items may be mutilated or damaged along with the envelope contents.Such occurrences may necessitate additional time and effort in repairingor replacing the envelope or envelope contents with the resultingadditional expense involved. The complicated design and electroniccircuitry of certain prior art apparatus also requires the services ofexperienced, highly skilled personnel in the operation and maintenanceof such apparatus resulting in substantially high operating cost forsuch apparatus.

, A principal object of the instant invention is to provide an envelopeopening apparatus which is uniformly consistently operative insuccessively opening a supply of envelopes.

A further object is to provide envelope opening apparatus ofsubstantially simple mechanical design, and such apparatus which ,doesnot include complicated electroniccomponents or the like subject tomalfunctron.

tended by an operator of negligible skill or practice.

A further object is to provide rapidlyoperative direct acting letteropening apparatus which substantially obviates mishandled envelope workitems and resulting work stoppage or downtime resulting from suchoccurrences. n

A further object is to provide such apparatus which substantiallyobviatesdamage or mutilation to the envelope work items during theenvelope opening process.

A further object is to provide envelope opening apparatus ofmechanically simple durable design and construction, admitting ofeconomical manufacture and marketing. t

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the envelope opening apparatus of theinstant invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal. sectional view of the apparatus taken as onthe line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the envelope guid and crowder means ofthe apparatus;

FIG. 4is a bottom view of an envelope guide element of the apparatus;

A further object is to provide envelope opening apparatus which is easyto operateand which may be at- FIG. 5 is an enlarged transversesectional view, taken as on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, and illustrating thecircular saw means of the invention and the envelope carrier belts andguide means;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken as on the line 6-6 of FIG.5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective fragmen'tary'view of the envelope edging meansof the invention and illustrating an envelope work item in a partiallyedged or opened configuration.

The envelope opening apparatus is designated by numeral 12 and primarilyincludes a circular saw element 14, saw housing structure 16 dependinglysupported on the underside of horizontal planar support structure 18,and includes envelope carriage means 20 adapted for guidingly conductingin edgewise successive order a series of envelope work items E andguidingly conducting the lower folded edge margin M of each envelope Eacross the cutting periphery of the circular saw element 14 (see FIGS.5, 6 and 7).

The envelope carriage means 20 preferably includes an upper pair of flatbelts 22, 22" drivingly supported on pulley means 24 24r'; 24f, 24r' anddefining confronting belt reach portions 26', 26". The carriage means 20includes also a lower pair of flat belts 28, 28" drivingly supportedrespectively on pulleys 32f, 322'; 32], 32r and defining respectivelymating belt reach portions 34, 34". The upper and lower pairs of flatcarrier bolts 22', 22"; 28', '28" are runningly supported on therespective pulley means, fixedly secured in turn on respective verticalshaft means 36 36f"; 36r', 36r. The forward pulley means 24]", 24f; 32],32 are idly journalled respectively to the vertical shaft means 36],36)" fixedly securedrespectively in pedestal structure 38]", 38f"fixedly secured in turnon the upper surface 40 of the horizontal supportstructure '18. The rearward shaft means 361'", 36f" provide the driveshaft structure. for the belt pairs 22', 22"; 28, 28", and are turnablysupported respectively in bearing pedestals 38r, 38r fixedly supportedon the upper surface 40 of the horizontal support structure. Drive beltand pulley means 42; 44, 46, 48, driven by electric motor means 50,simultaneously rotate the vertical shaft structure 36r, 36r"andcorrespondingly drives the upper and lower belt pairs 22', 22"; 28',28". The electric motor is dependingly supported to the underside of thehorizontal support structure 18 by vertical truss-rods 52, 52.

Although the drive belt and pulley means 42 44, 46, 48, driving thevertical shaft means 361-, 36r" is not specifically shown in thedrawings, it willbe understood that the particular configuration of thebelt and pulley means 42, 44, 46, 48 are arranged for providingcontradirectional rotation respectively of the vertical shaft means36r', 36r" and respectively counterclockwise and clockwise simultaneousrotation rspectively of the flat belt means 22', 28'; 22", 28", asviewed in FIGS.

.1 and 2. The configuration permits the reach portionsv 26., 26"; 34,34" respectivelyof the upper and lower belt pairs 22', 22";28', 28" tosimultaneously move' forwardly along a vertical plane of movement and toclampingly convey a series of envelope work items E from the infeed side54 to the outfeed side 56 of the apparatus. The belt reach portions26',28; 26", 28" respectively of the belts 22', 28-; 22", 28" simultaneouslyengage respectively opposite envelope side surfaces S, S and operativelysuccessively convey a series of envelopes intermittently across thecutting periphery of the circular saw element 14 (see FlGS. 1 and 5).

The circular saw element 14 is supported on shaft structure 58transversely arranged of the carrier belts 22, 22"; 28, 28"; the sawelement 14 is arranged with its upper periphery received in a slotopening 60 formed in the planar support structure 18 and in adisposition whereat the extreme cutting periphery of the teeth 62 of thesaw element project slightly above the upper surface 40 of the planarsupport structure. Each envelope work item is edgewise conveyed and withits lower folded edge margin M runningly engaging the upper surface 40of the horizontal support structure. As each work item intersects theupper extremity of the cutting periphery of the saw element 14, sawteeth 62 sever the fold edge M of the envelope body B (see FIGS. 6 and7).

The envelope sawdust or waste material from the cutting element 14 isconducted through the housing 16, and a conduit 64, and through thedischarge opening 66 of a centrifugal fan unit 70. Vertical andhorizontal support structure 72, 74, fixedly supported respectively onthe horizontal planar support structure 18 and the housing of'electricmotor 50, stationarily mount the centrifugal fan 70 on a verticalaxisfThe horizontal support member 74 is of elongate plate configurationand is fixedly secured to the motor housing by nut means 76, 76threadedly engaging the lower end portions of trussrods 52,52. Drivebelt and pulley means 78, 80, 82, drivingly connect the impeller shaft84 of the fan 70 to the output shaft 86 of the motor 50. An electricmotor 88 drives the circular cutting element 14 through belt and pulleymeans 90; 92, 94. The motor 88 is fixedly supported on a horizontal axisby a mounting plate 96 fixedly secured to the vertical support 72.

The circular saw assembly, as indicated by numeral 98, preferably is ofthe form illustrated in the drawings; the saw housing 16 preferably isof two part configuration, including an upper and a lower housingsection 16a, 16b, fixedly secured together by cap screws 160 along ahorizontal plane of intersection 16d (see FIG. 5). A plurality of screwelements 100 extend respectively upwardly through external flangestructure 162 of housing section 16a and threadedly engage the planarsupport structure 18. The saw assembly 98 is dependingly supported onthe underside of the planar support structure with the upper peripheryof the saw received in the slot opening 60 formed in the supportstructure. The saw shaft 58 preferably is journalled in radial ballbearing means 102]", 102r friction-fitted respectively in aperturesl04f, l04r defined by mating semi-circular bearing recesses formed inthe upper and lower saw housing portions 16a, 16b. A nut 106 is threadedon the rearward end of the saw shaft 58 and clampingly secures'thebearing 102r against a shoulder portion 108 of the shaft. The pulley 94is of threaded nut form and is threadedly fixed on the forward endportion of the saw shaft 58. The pulley 94 clampingly secures thebearing l02f against a spacer member 110, which in turn clampinglysecures the saw element 14 against the shoulder portion 108 of the sawshaft.

The letter opening apparatus preferably includes a left envelope guideand crowder assembly 112 and a right envelope guide and crowder assembly112". The left and right envelope guide and crowder assemblies 112',112" are arranged in corresponding relation and superjacentlytransversely symmetrically of the circular cutting element 14. The leftand right assemblies 112', 112 include respectively guide plate elements114', 114 having respectively inner and outer edge portions 114a, 114b';114a", 1l4b", and respectively crowder roller elements 116', 116turnably mounted respectively to the guide plate elements 114', 114 byvertical bearing pin means 118, 118" threadedly engaging the respectiveguide plates; the threaded shoulder portions 120', 120 of the bearingpins 118, 118" fixedly secure respectively the bearing pins to the guideplates 114, 114" and journal respectively the crowder rollers 116, 116"in horizontal generally coplanar relation.

The crowder rollers 116, 116" preferably are provided respectively withresilient circular tread structure for resiliently engaging mating reachportions 34', 34" respectively of the lower pair of carrier belt members28', 28". The left and right guide and crowder assemblies 112 112 areadjustably mounted respectively by cap screw elements 122, 122threadedly fitted in the planar support structure 18; the cap screwelements 122, 122" are received respectively in slotted apertures 124,124 formed respectively in the guide plates 114, 114". Turnablymanipulating the cap screws 122, 122" permits lateral'adjustmentrespectively of the guide and crowder assemblies 112', 112" andcorresponding adjustment of the assemblies relative to the carrier-beltmeans and the path of the envelope work'items. I

The guide and crowder assemblies 112", 122" are of somewhat differentdesign particularly in that the guide plate 114 of assembly 112"functions as fender or fence means in guiding the envelopes'E and inreceiving the tangential cutting thrust of the sawelement 14. As maywell be appreciated, the inner edge 114a of the guide plate 114"receives substantially the total cutting thrust of the saw element 14,and with extended operation of the apparatus, the inner edge 114a" maybe worn away by friction of the passing envelope work items: the guideplate 114" preferably is of symmetrical form longitudinally andlaterally thereof for permitting adjustment manipulation of the guideplate and for changing positions of the inner and outer edge portions114a, 114b. By removal and reinsertion of the cap screws 122", the rightenvelope guide and crowder assembly 112 may be turned end for end, forarranging an unused outer edge 1l4b" of the guide plate on the innerside thereof when the inner edge 114a" is worn away in use.

The right envelope guide and crowder assembly 112" alsopreferablyincludes anvil means 126 transversely fitted in the undersideof the guide plate 114" and defines shear edge means adapted forshearing cooperation'with the circular series of cutting teeth 62 of thesaw element 14. The a'nv'il member 126 is generally of bar-like invertedU transverse section, and is snugly fitted in a grooveway 128 formedtransversely in the underside of the guide plate 114" by a pair of flushhead screws 130. The anvil member 126 extends coextensive with the widthof the guide plate 114" and the opposite end surfaces respectively ofthe anvil define opposite vertical. face surfaces 126a,- l26b arrangedgenerally flush respectively with the inner and outer vertical surfaces114a", ,b" of the guide plate. The recessed horizontal undersurface 132of the anvil 126 intersects at opposite end portions thereof thevertical face surfaces 126a, 1261) and defines the horizontal shearingedges 126aa, 126kb, each being selectively positionable for coactionwith the circular saw teeth 62. As may well be appreciated, when theright guide and crowder assembly 1 12" is turned end for end, as forexample, when arranging the guide edge 1 14b contiguous to the carrierbelt reach 34", the shear edge l26bb of the anvil will likewise beturned to a disposition contiguous to the carrier belt reach and to adisposition for shear-cutting action with the teeth 62 of the circularsaw.

Also, the location of the guide plate 114" is such that the active oneof the vertical surfaces 114a" and 11412, that is, the one facing theother guide plate 1 14', is located in a vertical plane parallel to andspaced from the vertical plane containing the axis of rotation of thecutter 14, as seen in FIG. 5. Therefore, by adjusting the guide plate114 laterally, toward or away from the other guide plate 114, aspermitted by the cap screws 122 and slots 124" and as previouslydescribed, the spacing between the cutter teeth 62 and the activehorizontal shearing edge 126aa or 1261212 may be adjusted to providethat spacing which yields optimum shearing action on the envelope workitems. Further, the offset of the vertical guide surface 114a or ll4b"from the plane containing the axis of cutter rotation causes theshearing of the work items to take place at a point on the cutterperiphery at which the cutter teeth have a component ofdownwardmovement, as evidenced from FIG. 7; As aresultthefshean ingaction exerts a downwardlydirected force on each work item tending tohold it in place on the upper surface of the support 18, therebyinhibiting'tipping of the work item and assuring cutting of its edgemargin to the desired depth; I

The left envelope guide and crowder assembly 112', or particularly theguide plate structure 114' thereof, is of asymmetrical form and is notintended to be turned end for end for presenting a new wear surface asdoes the right guide and crowder assembly 112". During operation of theenvelope opener apparatus, there is negligible wear on the inneredge1l4a' of the guideplate 114' and thus the left guide and crowderassembly 112 may be maintained at an optimum setting indefinitely. Theguide plate 114 is provided with a transverse recessed undersurface 134for permitting free passage of the cutting periphery of the circular sawelement.

In operation, a series of envelope work items E are individuallysuccessively introduced simultaneously between the belt reach portions26', 26", 28', 28" and on the infeed side 54 of the apparatus. Theenvelopes are clampingly conveyed between the belt reach portions andwith the lower folded edge margin M of each envelope being slidablyconveyed'along the upper surface 40 of the horizontal support structure18. The cutting periphery of the circular saw protrudes slightly abovethe planar surface 40 of the support structure and as each envelopepasses across the cutting periphery of the saw, the lower fold margins Mof the series of envelopes are removed, providing access to the envelopecontents. i

While the instant invention is shown and described in an embodimentpresently conceived as being a preferred embodiment, various changes andmodification in the structure may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for opening in successive order a supply of sealed envelopework items or the like, each having a folded edge margin, the apparatuscomprising a circular cutter driven on a horizontal axis so that saidcutter rotates in a vertical plane, said cutter having a circular seriesof unidirectionally oriented cutting teeth on its outer periphery,envelope carriage means adapted for guidingly conducting in edgewisesuccessive order a supply of envelopes along a generally horizontal pathlying generally crosswise of the plane of rotation of said circularsawing element, said carriage means including means for guidinglyconducting said folded edge margin of each work item longitudinally ofitself and in a path crosswise intersecting the cutting periphery ofsaid cutter to a depth radially of said cutter sufficient substantiallyonly for removing said folded edge margin of each work item, and ananvil means for cooperation with said cutting teeth of said cutter, saidanvil means providing a generally horizontal shearing edge and agenerally vertical surface extending upwardly from said shearing edge,said shearing edge and said generally vertical surface of said anvilmeans being located in a vertical plane spaced from the vertical planecontaining said axis of cutter rotation with said generally verticalsurface facing said vertical plane containing said axis of cutterrotation whereby said cutting teeth of said cutter as they pass saidshearing edge of said anvil means have a downwardly directed componentof movement.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized bymeansfor adjustably positioning said anvil means in a horizontal planetoward and away from said vertical plane containing said axis ofcutterrotation to adjustably vary thespacing between said shearing edge ofsaid anvil means and said teeth of said cutter.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by saidcarriage means including a stationary horizontal guide plate having afirst planar vertical edge surface facing said vertical plane containingsaid axis of cutter rotation and arranged adjacent said path of saidwork items so as to engage the lower margin of each work itemconductedalong said path, said anvil means being part of said guideplate and said shearing edge of said anvil means being located in theplane of said first vertical edge surface of said guide plate.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by saidguide plate having a second planar vertical edge parallel to said firstplanar vertical edge, said anvil means providing a second shearing edgelocated in the plane of said second vertical edge, and means foralternativelyfixing said guide plateto the remainder of said apparatuswith either said first vertical surface thereof or said second verticalsurface thereof adjacent said path of said work items.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by saidanvil means comprising an anvil member separate from theremainder ofsaid guide plate,

said anvil member being of inverted U-shape in transverse section, andsaid remainder of said guide plate having a downwardly facing groovewayreceiving said anvil member. r

6. The apparatus as set forth in ciaim 3 further characterized by saidanvil means comprising an anvil mem ber separate from the remainder ofsaid guide plate, said anvil member extending transversely of said guideplate'from said first to said second planar vertical edges thereof anddefining both of said two shearing edges. a t t a =l= UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFIQATE ()F CORRECTION 3 Patent: No. 3,797 ,350 DatedMarch 19 1974 Inventor(S) W.E. Orri'ck, William Sottle and John R.DeHart It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 56, "rspectively" should read --respective1y- Col. 4, line65, "114a" b" should read --114a" 114b" Col. 6, line 48, after eachoccurrence of "edge" insert -surface- 1ine 5O, after "edge" insert--surfaceline 52 after"vertica1" insert ---edge-, line 53, after"vertical" insert edge-- line 2, "claim 3" should read --c1aim 4-- line66, cancel "edges" and substitute --edge surfaces-- Signed and sealedthis 17th day of September 1974.

Attest: v I

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. Apparatus for opening in successive order a supply of sealed envelopework items or the like, each having a folded edge margin, the apparatuscomprising a circular cutter driven on a horizontal axis so that saidcutter rotates in a vertical plane, said cutter having a circular seriesof unidirectionally oriented cutting teeth on its outer periphery,envelope carriage means adapted for guidingly conducting in edgewisesuccessive order a supply of envelopes along a generally horizontal pathlying generally crosswise of the plane of rotation of said circularsawing element, said carriage means including means for guidinglyconducting said folded edge margin of each work item longitudinally ofitself and in a path crosswise intersecting the cutting periphery ofsaid cutter to a depth radially of said cutter sufficient substantiallyonly for removing said folded edge margin of each work item, and ananvil means for cooperation with said cutting teeth of said cutter, saidaNvil means providing a generally horizontal shearing edge and agenerally vertical surface extending upwardly from said shearing edge,said shearing edge and said generally vertical surface of said anvilmeans being located in a vertical plane spaced from the vertical planecontaining said axis of cutter rotation with said generally verticalsurface facing said vertical plane containing said axis of cutterrotation whereby said cutting teeth of said cutter as they pass saidshearing edge of said anvil means have a downwardly directed componentof movement.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized by means for adjustably positioning said anvil means in ahorizontal plane toward and away from said vertical plane containingsaid axis of cutter rotation to adjustably vary the spacing between saidshearing edge of said anvil means and said teeth of said cutter.
 3. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said carriagemeans including a stationary horizontal guide plate having a firstplanar vertical edge surface facing said vertical plane containing saidaxis of cutter rotation and arranged adjacent said path of said workitems so as to engage the lower margin of each work item conducted alongsaid path, said anvil means being part of said guide plate and saidshearing edge of said anvil means being located in the plane of saidfirst vertical edge surface of said guide plate.
 4. The apparatus as setforth in claim 3 further characterized by said guide plate having asecond planar vertical edge parallel to said first planar vertical edge,said anvil means providing a second shearing edge located in the planeof said second vertical edge, and means for alternatively fixing saidguide plate to the remainder of said apparatus with either said firstvertical surface thereof or said second vertical surface thereofadjacent said path of said work items.
 5. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 3 further characterized by said anvil means comprising an anvilmember separate from the remainder of said guide plate, said anvilmember being of inverted U-shape in transverse section, and saidremainder of said guide plate having a downwardly facing groovewayreceiving said anvil member.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3further characterized by said anvil means comprising an anvil memberseparate from the remainder of said guide plate, said anvil memberextending transversely of said guide plate from said first to saidsecond planar vertical edges thereof and defining both of said twoshearing edges.